It is December and the season is well under way.
Today in town was the Santa Parade and street activities. Or was yesterday the parade? Anyway there was lots of activity along Lambton Quay as we were trying to do a bit of shopping after our run along the waterfront.
More importantly is was the Messiah yesterday evening at the Michael Fowler centre performed by the NZSO with the Tudor Consort choir. It was intended to be a family trip but in the end Isaac went off to Melbourne this week to visit a friend and Eleanor went to see Swen in Auckland. Dave and Michelle took their places.
As ever I enjoyed the performance but there were few differences from other times. The choir seems relatively small in numbers and were positioned at the same level as the orchestra. I think this made their impact less than usual and reduced the power effect. The arrangement was perhaps different- no ‘ to you a child is born’ and new sections in the third section that I and not heard before. At one point two of the principals were singing together! Not seen that before.
It is now 10+ times we have see the Messiah. We will certainly keep going. We have seen a variety of performances in a variety of venues. Yesterday’s was not the best but certainly not the worst.
We will need to find somewhere very different one year to give it all a boost.
